Radjabov regained chances to qualify for the candidates matches after this game. Let us remind you that the main contenders for the qualification spot are Radjabov, Wang Yue, Vugar Gashimov, Peter Leko, and Dmitry Jakovenko.

In the Exchange Variation of the Ruy Lopez Mamedyarov employed a rare continuation, but White got a small advantage. Radjabov developed strong initiative following Black’s unsuccessful queen maneuver on the 19th move. The game transposed to a queen ending with a remote passed pawn for White. Black was short on time and committed the decisive error on the 38th move. Mamedyarov resigned immediately due to inevitable loss of the kingside pawns.

Vassily Ivanchuk vs. Pavel Eljanov ½:½

The top seed Ukrainian player did not torture his teammate – the game
was drawn already on the 25th move. In the opening Ivanchuk showed an
interesting plan in the Queen’s Indian Defense, which created certain
problems for Black – White’s pieces were quite active. However, on the
20th move Ivanchuk went for simplifications that led to a completely
equal ending.
Evgeny Alekseev vs. Peter Svidler ½:½

The five-time Russian champion Peter Svidler selected the Sheveningen
Sicilian, which he does not use that often. Alekseev avoided the
sharpest lines and went for a quiet game. Black comfortably carried out
the freeing break in the center, which led to massive exchanges. On the
22nd move the game was drawn.

Ruslan Ponomariov vs. Vugar Gashimov 1-0

Ponomariov avoided Gashimov’s main weapon – the Benoni Defense, and went
for the English Opening schemes. By the 14th move White carried out an
exchange operation in the center and obtained a significant advantage
thanks to Black’s reckless play. Gashimov needed to show his defensive
resourcefulness, however, he was unable to play perfectly in the time
trouble. White improved his position and invaded the enemy camp with his
rook. On the 47th move Gashimov resigned.

Ernesto Inarkiev vs. Wanf Yue ½:½

The Russian player suffered four losses in a row in the previous rounds,
so no wonder he selected a very safe line against the Petroff. The game
uneventfully advanced to an equal rook ending. The game continued until
the 53rd move, but neither side had any winning chances.

Dmitry Jakovenko vs. Boris Gelfand ½:½

The Russian grandmaster showed an improvement in the Petroff line that
was played in Leko-Gelfand in Astrakhan. The Israeli grandmaster did not
react in the best way, and Jakovenko could force to a heavy-piece
ending with an extra pawn. However, instead he went for a queen ending,
where Black had sufficient resources to hold. On the 49th move Gelfand
sacrificed a pawn and created an unbreakable fortress. The game was
drawn in four more moves.

Peter Leko vs. Vladimir Akopian ½:½

After 20 theoretical moves in the Open Variation of the Ruy Lopez White
obtained a slight advantage, however, Black could hold the position with
accurate play. Akopian demonstrated the required accuracy, traded a few
pieces, and parried all White’s attempts to play for a win in the
ending. The game was drawn on the 46th move.